With its regional competitor poised to potentially become part of a much larger corporate system, Mountain States Health Alliance CEO Alan Levine said all options are on the table for the Johnson City-based health system he leads, including a merger.

After remaining silent for months, German discount grocery chain Aldi officially confirmed ongoing construction not only for a Johnson City store on West Market Street, but also for a second Tri-Cities location in Kingsport.

A Charleston, South Carolina, developer holding a contract on a corner Johnson City property asked that the rezoning of the land be put off for a month by the city Planning Commission to allow him to better understand the surrounding neighborhood.

A construction crew started digging this week on an empty West Market Street lot where German discount grocery store Aldi has still not confirmed its intentions to build its first store in the Tri-Cities.